I came across some very disturbing facts related to childhood obesity and figured I would share them in hopes of jolting a parent or two into putting more effort and care into what they feed their children. This includes any adults who have contact with children, parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, etc.

Please don’t be the favorite grandmother that even on occasion gives your grandchildren non-food garbage with the message that it is alright because it is from Grandma! What a horrible message to send, food and love should never be in the same message to any child, especially from adults they love and trust.

Use your position as a loved and trusted adult to teach GOOD habits! What a better world it would be if we all did this.  And remember we are our children’s best example… what obesity message are you sending to the kids around you?

1. Childhood diabetes have increased 10 fold during the last 20 years.

2. Childhood obesity has increased nearly 3 fold in the last 25 years.

3. Amount that one additional soft drink per day increases a child’s risk for obesity: 60%

4. Increase in per capita consumption of soft drinks, 1950′s to today :500%

5. Percentage of school districts that have contracts with soft drink companies, allowing them to sell soft drinks on school property: 50%

6. Number of food ads viewed by the average child each year: 10,000

7. Estimated annual amount spent on food advertising aimed at US children: 10 billion

8. percentage of these that advertise fast food, soft drinks, candy, or sugared cereal: 95%

9. Increase in risk for childhood obesity per hour of daily television viewing: 12%

10. Annual direct cost of obesity to the American economy: $70 billion!

Source: Dream Magazine, Winter 2004, Published by Children’s Hospital Boston